Book Reviews

Book Blurb

After the birth of their daughter, Camilla, new parents Natalie and Maura are looking forward to their first Christmas as a real family. But obligations are fierce -- when both girls are guilted into attending family functions, Christmas looks like it’s going to be split, busy, and no fun for anyone.

Maura’s dad is overtly resentful of the life Maura’s built, but Natalie’s passive-aggressive parents may be even worse. The relationships are worth saving, and Natalie hopes, at the end of it all, she can keep her promise to Maura and Camilla that together they will live happily ever after. Can the two women defend their new family from ... the rest of their relatives?

 

Book Review

This is a fun and cute Christmas story starting right with the cover picture. The gals pictured must be Maura and Natalie. Especially the Natalie picture (gal on the right) feels right in step with how she is depicted within the story. However, do look lower and see the baby picture, too...also right on target for Camilla or to use an affectionate name Natalie calls her daughter...sweet little baby-chan or aka-chan. There are some bittersweet moments for the trio as they kind of run themselves ragged flying from Washington D.C. to Mississippi and then on to Oregon. However, such a lovable family makes it home where they most certainly live happily!

Maura feels a bit hoodwinked by Natalie, although indirectly, when she finds out they are expected to be visiting her in-laws for Christmas. No visiting was supposed to be the modus operandi. For Maura, who birthed Camilla eleven months ago, a little less hassle and stress would have made a marvelous Christmas. However, family, in particular large families, can really put some pressure on the younger folks.  So biting the bullet became the course of least resistance and traveling before Christmas the price that had to be paid.

Natalie who appeared to be shaking in her boots as she tried as diplomatically as she was capable of to break the news about her family, then gets knocked into her own incredulous loop when Maura's family puts on the pressure to have them come to Mississippi for Christmas with extra fervor when they overhear Natalie call out to Maura about what days they were going to be in Oregon. Now Maura has not a leg to stand on after saying Natalie, she, and Camilla were spending a quite Christmas at home. Maura grouses at Natalie when she says the Mississippi trip is unavoidable since Natalie's bellowing was heard over the phone. Natalie is now in double doo doo land in regard to Christmas. However, Natalie looks ashamed in the most adorable fashion and melts Maura's heart in the process. These gals are just so precious!

I come from a very small family and have no experience of large numbers of pressure-yielding relatives, but both of these families confused the daylights out of me. The two scenes I got to live through with the oh so cute Maura/Natalie/Camilla trio was just so over the top. I would have awarded not only a gold medal to all three, but a two week paid vacation after the ordeal they had to survive. I laughed and moaned and commiserated. I also hope there is going to be a follow-up story about this family and the great friends who welcomed them home after their country-hopping Christmas event. This is a delightful Christmas tale!

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by JMS Books for the purpose of a review.

Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Short Story, 9801 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	22-December-2013
Price	$1.99 ebook
Buy Link	http://www.jms-books.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=34&products_id=1015